Dinner and Some Sleep
There were three occupants of the farmhouse, two women and a man, and it was obvious that they were very nervous. The Germans had been there question ing them and the object of their questions had just come in the door. Even though we were expected, our presence made them feel ill at ease. When they explained that the whole area at Lønningdal was swarming with Germans, their apprehension was understandable.
As we gathered about, my attention was drawn to a picture in a newspaper on a table nearby. The picture was of a bombed out building. The caption, although I could not understand or read Norwegian, seemed to indicate that there had been a large amount of casualties at the site. On questioning Kjell about it, he explained that it was a picture of a school that had been hit during the recent bombing raid. When I expressed surprise at the heavy casualties he further explained that it was German propaganda and that the figures could not be believed. He did say that there had been some children hurt, and that amongst the casualties were grandchildren of the couple whose farmhouse we were in. The owners of the farm were away and their children were our hosts at the time.
Once again we enjoyed the hospitality of complete strangers. We assembled in their dining room and were treated to food that we did not recognize, but was very much appreciated. We then were told that we had best get some sleep as we had to be on our way in a couple of hours. I cannot recall where or how the others in the crew slept, but I remember being shown to a bed that was recessed into the wall. It was the first time I had seen one like it. I crawled into the bed and was soon fast asleep. I was roused out of my sleep a short while later by Nilsen. He indicated that I should be very quiet and whispered that he wanted me to listen carefully. He handed me a crude sash with a pocket in it. He told me to tie it around my waist under my clothes. I was to tell no one about it. In the event of our safe return to England a Major Rogers would make himself known to me. I was to give him the belt. In the event of imminent capture I was to attempt to shred its contents. Under no circumstances was I to look at them. He checked to assure himself that the belt was secure and that there was no visible bulge at my waist.
We joined the others and Nilsen explained that we would be going on with Haldor and Jacob for a short spell. He and Kjell would be going their separate ways. We thanked our hosts for their hospitality, voiced our thanks to Kjell and Nilsen for all that they had done, and followed Haldor. Jacob had preceded us, to scout and see if the expected boat was in sight and to check if the way was clear. It was shortly after ten in the morning, and we would be travelling in daylight in a group so we had to be extra vigilant.
Reports of German activity, which was now centred in Lønningdal, were relayed to Nilsen through Jacob Hjelle who had his men scattered throughout the area. The main road to Os was just a short distance from the route we had to take and the Germans were patrolling the road in force. Nilsen had their telephone lines cut, and toppled several large boulders to block the road south, in order to impede any pursuit should it develop.
There were three occupants of the farmhouse, two women and a man, and it was obvious that they were very nervous. The Germans had been there question ing them and the object of their questions had just come in the door. Even though we were expected, our presence made them feel ill at ease. When they explained that the whole area at Lønningdal was swarming with Germans, their apprehension was understandable.
As we gathered about, my attention was drawn to a picture in a newspaper on a table nearby. The picture was of a bombed out building. The caption, although I could not understand or read Norwegian, seemed to indicate that there had been a large amount of casualties at the site. On questioning Kjell about it, he explained that it was a picture of a school that had been hit during the recent bombing raid. When I expressed surprise at the heavy casualties he further explained that it was German propaganda and that the figures could not be believed. He did say that there had been some children hurt, and that amongst the casualties were grandchildren of the couple whose farmhouse we were in. The owners of the farm were away and their children were our hosts at the time.
Once again we enjoyed the hospitality of complete strangers. We assembled in their dining room and were treated to food that we did not recognize, but was very much appreciated. We then were told that we had best get some sleep as we had to be on our way in a couple of hours. I cannot recall where or how the others in the crew slept, but I remember being shown to a bed that was recessed into the wall. It was the first time I had seen one like it. I crawled into the bed and was soon fast asleep. I was roused out of my sleep a short while later by Nilsen. He indicated that I should be very quiet and whispered that he wanted me to listen carefully. He handed me a crude sash with a pocket in it. He told me to tie it around my waist under my clothes. I was to tell no one about it. In the event of our safe return to England a Major Rogers would make himself known to me. I was to give him the belt. In the event of imminent capture I was to attempt to shred its contents. Under no circumstances was I to look at them. He checked to assure himself that the belt was secure and that there was no visible bulge at my waist.
We joined the others and Nilsen explained that we would be going on with Haldor and Jacob for a short spell. He and Kjell would be going their separate ways. We thanked our hosts for their hospitality, voiced our thanks to Kjell and Nilsen for all that they had done, and followed Haldor. Jacob had preceded us, to scout and see if the expected boat was in sight and to check if the way was clear. It was shortly after ten in the morning, and we would be travelling in daylight in a group so we had to be extra vigilant.
Reports of German activity, which was now centred in Lønningdal, were relayed to Nilsen through Jacob Hjelle who had his men scattered throughout the area. The main road to Os was just a short distance from the route we had to take and the Germans were patrolling the road in force. Nilsen had their telephone lines cut, and toppled several large boulders to block the road south, in order to impede any pursuit should it develop.